October 31/06 6:49 am - Dionne Gets His Day in the Operating Room

Posted by Editor on 10/31/06

Dionne Gets His Day in the Operating Roomby Amanda Leigh Cox

Last Thursday saw Quebecois cyclist Charles Dionne's troublesome season finally come to an end. The 26 year old St Redempteur native had an artery in his left leg cleared at last in Spain, and will convalesce there for a few more weeks, according to a report by Radio-Canada.

In the Radio-Canada article, Dionne's agent Érik de Pokomandy explained that the surgery was a success, and that Dionne's recuperation will be the key to determining whether or not he'll be once again with Pro Tour team Saunier Duval-Prodir.

Earlier this year, it was Dionne's left leg which prohibited him from racing to his fullest with the Spain-based team; after consulting with medical experts last June, it was determined that a fibrosis in his leg was preventing him from racing to his potential, as it was essentially restricting blood flow to his leg. The operation was supposed to happen earlier in the season so as to allow Dionne to partake of late season racing, but was continually delayed in order to assure doctors that they had successfully located the artery in question.

As for Dionne's future with Saunir-Duval Prodir, agent Pokomandy added, "They are waiting to see how Charles recovers. About a month ago, they said that if all went well they would keep him on."